Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-08-26
PROHIBITION SETTLED.
Partisan Harmony and Integrity Best
Served by Dropping Out the Twelfth
Plank of the Last Platform.
Senator Coke's Views on Prohibition in
Texas and the Future Action of the
Democratic Party in the State
WACO, TEN, Aug. %, 1887.

WACO, TEN, Aug. %, 1851
To the Editor of the Gazette.
| have your favor requesting fer pub
lication statement Of my views as to
what action should be taken by the next
Democratic state convention touching
the question of prohibition, and it would
have been answered earlier but for my
absence from home.
That this question is 9 political one
and within the; Jurisdiction and cogniz-
snee of a Deliberate convention to act
upAp,. ca44ot admit of a question or
doubts; nor can it be doubted that con-
vention, which would follow the princi-
pies, antecedents and traditions of the
Democratic party, would align itself
squarely against prohibition. 1t is
equally unQuestionable that majority of
the Democratic part, in state conven-
ton assembled, have the right to declare
the principles and determine the policy of
the party on this as on ali other political
questions, and require the acquiescence
$50 far as his political action is con-
cerned) of each individual Democrat,
whatever may be his convictions on the
lpsrticular question. In no other way can
party organization be maintained.
An answer to your inquiry involves no
matter of principle, but only considera-
tons of policy and expediency, and my
convictions are, that in the interest of
party integrity and harmony the conven-
ton should quietly drop out the 18th
plank Of the Galveston platform, and not
advert to the subject of prohibition or
local option at all. It should content it.
self with ratifying and endorsing in the
usual form the national Democratic plst-
form, which will be promulgated before
odr nominating state convention meets,
and which will doubtless, as has been its
cdstom heretofore, declare the true Dem
ocratic doctrine on this subject as on all
others.
| A declaration by the national Demo-
cratic party on this subject, having re fer
hence to nothing local or personal in Texas,
Fhut bein ,sn unbiased expression of the
| aggIegatetwisdom of the party or great
question properly before it, ought to be,
and have no doubt will be accepted by
the great body of Democrats of Texas of
all shades of opinion as an authoritative
definition of Democratic creed, and q sat
/ isfectory solution of our party troubles.
4. The prohibition question, while OF
3Ncourse agitation of it will to some extent
continue. has in my Judgment been def
| uissly and conclusively settled in Texas
by the result Of the recent election. Pro
hibition is not sn issue now, and it is al
most the universal Judgment of the most
intelligent people that it will not be in
Texas during this century, if it ever is
again.
l can see no wisdom, no expediency,
4 no good policy in causing g serious rup-
tu<e in the Democratic party over what is
now, and is likely to continue for an in
definite number of years, a barren alb
stIaction, when In little time the ques
ton, If let alone, under the guidance Of
tbs national Democratic platform and the
j good sense and conservatism of our peo-
7 pie, will settle itself in the party withou,
:. friction or collision.
I 1t cannot be doubted that the logica
results of the recent election will asser
themselves IN rendering the Democratic
, party harmonious on this question, II no
INSTRUCTED by hostile and irritating inter
ference. AL that is needed Is, that these
! results be given time to develop and lef
!. unhindered to work themselves out. TIL,
tmoral force of the majority against pro
hibitioa is too great to be successfully o
even seriously resisted, and its domination
II of Democratic sentime Mt in Texas, with
i out breach or rupture in the party, re
flgard IS absolutely assured, if its norma
fQperatien is not thwarted or impeded b,
Fpgea4&9Te and eXesperating counte
agencies. If upon trial, this should prov
a mistaken view, the anti-prohibitio
Democrats being masters of the situation
= Loan at any time act upon any appearance
: l.of real danger, and ought to and wi
81 put the party II an attitude to crush
out.
For another reason, which to my min
is equally satisfactory, the course hav
indicated should be pursued. Tn
twelfth plank of the Democratic platform
: adopted at Galve ston on the eve and /
full view and contemplation Of the grea
contest over prohibition, then impenGiE
and Just closed, in substance and effec
= declared the question OF prohibition out
T side of the domain of party politics. Will
Y q few gentlemen have argued othe,
!, wise as 10 the meaning of thi
g plank, hazard nothing in averring tina
t the universal construction and signifca
t ton attached to 1t by the voters Of Texas
d and l believe properly, was and is ths
n 1t intended to, and did declare that pro
d hibition was in no sense O part
= question, and that the vote upon it shoul
e not be held q test of party fealty. TIL
;. adoption of this plank was an egregriou
E blunder, but this does not alter the fac
e that it was adopted and promulgated b
e q Democratic convention. The submit:
: sion Of the proposed constitution.
i amendment, on recommendation of tn
e Governor and by act Of the Legislator.
# in this off political year, aAowedly t
y disassociste it from any question of part
Isl politics, to the end that the canvass an
election should be strictly non-partisar.
the protest of seventy-hve Democrat
members of the Legislature, beir
q majority of both Houses, I
Hon. Henry Exall chairman OF the DEM
le cratic executive committee, against an
t movement tending to draw the Demo
Is cratic party into I, contest over Il
proposed amendment-the action of tt
,s anti-prohibitlon convention held at Da
e. las, which organized and carried on Il
l. late CANVASS with SO much vigor 81
IL ability, composed of both Democrats an
Republicans, in maintaining strict
nom partisan canvass-the common al
universal consent and agreement of 8
the people of Texas of all polite
10 parties and all political opinions, tn